You could watch a dozen seasons of “America’s Next Top Model” and never glean the knowledge dropped by the wise and often trailblazing women featured in Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ documentary “About Face: Supermodels Then and Now” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
Part of the thrill of the film is to see past supermodels today – in the business, out of the business, or returning – all still upholding their dignity and their cheekbones, setting the tone for a modeling business that is just now looking at more mature stars.
The array of names from Isabella Rosselini and Christie Brinkley to Paulina Porizkova may be familiar, but there are others that are less well known from China Machado to Pat Cleveland. Individually, they talk about race, misogyny, drugs, sex and of course aging, and the existential question of whether one would go under the knife to continue to work.
Some of their revelations are contradictory: models began scowling on the runway to dissuade men in the early days, or was it because they were drugged out in the 80s?
Either way, an enlightening look at an array of strong and beautiful women.
Other strong and beautiful men and women compete at the 2012 London Olympics (NBC, 8 p.m.) with events tonight returning to gymnastics, with the men’s team final, diving, beach volleyball and swimming.
The shows will kick the entire late night roster of Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon and Carson Daly off the air for weeks.
Molly Shannon and Minnie Driver guest star on a new “Web Therapy” (Showtime, 11 p.m.).
Kate Mulgrew guest stars on a new “Warehouse 13” (Syfy, 9 p.m.) where they deal with mass hallucination and mob attacks.
“Bachelor Pad” (ABC, 8 p.m.) is already more interesting than past seasons, with the entry of superfans adding an upstairs/downstairs quality to the competition. Already, they’re doing better than expected. Tonight, they mock the Olympics with a rhythmic gymnastics challenge.
How much are networks retreating from the competing London games? The two hour “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) is a repeat; new episodes don’t return until Aug. 13. There are repeats all night on CBS as well.
Whatever else its faults, the challenges have been pretty clever on “The Glass House” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
A Denver TV salesmen is picked to open for Jason Mraz on “Opening Act” (E!, 10 p.m.).
The “Market Warriors” (PBS, 9 p.m.) descend on the Lakewood 400 Antiques Market near Atlanta.
One of the “Bunheads” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.) steals from Michelle and lies about it on a new episode.
Spa day can’t calm down “The Bad Girls Club” (Oxygen, 9 p.m.).
Friends were quoting at length from “The Godfather” (AMC, 8 p.m.) just the other day. Time to bone up on its classic content once more.
“Off the Hook: Extreme Catches” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) is a preview of a new Animal Planet series beginning next Sunday that features ill-advised anglers.
Brenda’s parents return on a new episode of “The Closer” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
Relationships become strained on a new “Push Girls” (Sundance, 10 p.m.).
Back from London, “The Real Housewives of New York City” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) immediately go to Miami.
Glad Pierce is still using newspapers on “Perception” (TNT, 10 p.m.), where he tries to crack a code.
A super speedy killer threatens the “Alphas” (Syfy, 10 p.m.).
Emily’s childhood crush comes calling on “Miss Advised” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
The month-long Monday night showcase of adventure movies winds up with “Five Came Back” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “Island in the Sky” (TCM, 9:30 p.m.), “Plunder of the Sun” (TCM, 11:30 p.m.), “Valley of the Kinds” (TCM, 1 a.m.), “Sinbad the Sailor” (TCM, 2:45 a.m.) and “A Thousand and One Nights” (TCM, 4:45 a.m.).
In baseball, it’s Angels at Rangers (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Jeremy Renner, Zachary Gordon, Chris Harrison. The View: Joan Rivers, Danielle Steel, Karina Smirnoff. The Talk: Wayne Brady, Chi-Lan Li. Ellen DeGeneres: Colin Firth, Jeremy Irvine, Uggie the Dog, Colbie Caillat (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jack Hanna, Patti Smith, Bootsy Collins (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Kate Beckinsale, Chris Harrison, Rubblebucket (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Emma Roberts, Paula Poundstone. Tavis Smiley: Dr. Marc Gillinov, Dr. Steven Nissen (rerun). Jon Stewart: Rashida Jones. Stephen Colbert: Joan Rivers. Conan O’Brien: Colin Farrell, Angie Harmon, the newno2. Chelsea Handler: Fortune Feimster, Bobby Lee, T.J. Miller.